Pirates recapture coveted Carling Black Label Cup
For the third time in four years the match went to penalties and for the third time it is Pirates who triumph.
ORLANDO Pirates have won their third Carling Black Label Cup title, after a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over Kaizer Chiefs following an enthralling 0-0 draw at FNB Stadium on Saturday July 26.
For the third time in four years the match went to penalties, and for the third time it is Pirates who triumph.
Chiefs had their opportunities to win it in the shoot-out, but after 18 spot-kicks it was Buccaneers left-back Thabo Matlaba who converted the winning penalty.
Chiefs also had a penalty in the 90 minutes, but midfielder George Maluleka put his effort against the crossbar. Incredibly, he did exactly the same in the penalty shoot-out.
The match started at a sunbathed FNB Stadium in front of sold-out stands, where fans starved of local football over the last two-and-a-half months finally got to see the return of Diski.
As is always the case in matches between these two, it was a tight, tense and tactical battle from the start, but still an enthralling encounter.
After Katlego Mphela and Oupa Manyisa had seen shots go wide at either end, the AmaKhosi were dealt a blow with the loss of striker Kingston Nkhatha.
The Zimbabwean striker picked up a nasty knock, and had to limp out of the game midway through the first half, replaced by new signing, Siphelele Mthembu.
Matlaba had the first shot on target with one of his trademark efforts from range, but Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was behind the powerful drive all the way.
Happy Jele then headed over the bar from a Daine Klate free-kick, before Khune had to act smartly to deny Kermit Erasmus at The Buccaneers began to pile on the pressure.
The teams turned at 0-0, and it was Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa who had to make the first save of the second period.
Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande let fly from 25-yards, but the Bafana Bafana stopper was up to the challenge.
With fans on both sides having voted for their substitution all through the first half, those changes came eight minutes after the break.
The Chiefs fans voted to bring Josta Dladla into the side for his first appearance for AmaKhosi since December. He replaced Mphela, with that decision having been made by Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter.
Pirates fans voted on new signing Issa Sarr, with the Senegalese tough-tackling midfielder on for Tlou Segolela at coach Vladimir Vermezovic’s request.
Chiefs were awarded a penalty by referee Victor Gomes, when George Lebese was clattered by Rooi Mahamutsa in the box for what looked like a clear award.
However, Maluleka could not take advantage of the set-piece, and he smashed his effort against the crossbar and the ball flew away to safety.
Lebese then tested Meyiwa with a good shot from just outside the box, but there were few clear-cut chances in the remaining minutes of the second half as the game went to penalties.
The teams would need 18 kicks to be separated, but when Siboniso Gaxa saw his effort saved by Meyiwa, Matlaba was able to slot the decisive kick for Pirates.
The Buccaneers have won back the trophy they gave up to Chiefs last year, and now lead the head-to-head in this prestigious fixture 3-1, having also triumphed in 2011 and 2012.
Kaizer Chiefs 0
Orlando Pirates 0
Pirates win 6-5 on penalties
Penalty sequence: Masango scored, Bacela scored; Maluleka missed, Manyisa scored; Dladla scored, Sangweni missed; Lebese scored, Makola scored; Katsande scored, Sarr scored; Mathoho missed, Seanego saved; Mthembu scored, Ntshumayelo scored; Mashamaite saved, Mahamutsa saved; Gaxa missed, Matlaba scored.
